BoatTest2419 Baja 26 Outlaw CaNDy GIrL Hot out of the box. By eric colBy Consider two boats built by the same manufacturer. One is a foot longer than the other. They weigh the same and have identical beams, but the bigger boat is faster. The first thing most gofast enthusiasts would think is “stepped bottom.” In the case of the new Baja 26 Outlaw, that assumption would be as wrong as a size 14 thong. When Baja retired its 25 Outlaw and introduced the 26 Outlaw, the builder stuck with the old-school, tried- wIth ItS hotrod StyLING ANd StroNG PErformANCE, thE outLAw wILL StEAL your hEArt. toP ENd: 66.3 mPh. and-true, deep-V design. Here’s the wrinkle, though: The 25 Outlaw had 1 1 ⁄2 strakes per side; the newer, bigger boat has 2 1 ⁄2 strakes. They’re called lifting strakes for a reason—they provide lift. And as you know, lift reduces friction between the wetted surface and the water. The 26 Outlaw runs a competitive 66.3-mph top speed (about 1 mph faster than its predecessor ran on the same power) while keeping the boating magazine J U LY 2 0 0 6 As seen in Celebrating 50 years as The World's Largest Powerboat Magazine more predictable handling that comes with a nonstepped bottom design. Combine the extra strakes with all the drag-reducing tests that Baja conducts on its boats and the University of Michigan’s wind-tunnel tests and you get the most efficient straight V-bottom around. The boat planed in 5.4 seconds and held plane at 17 mph, proving it can handle the task of towing toys and boarders. In midrange acceleration tests, the 26 Outlaw ran from 30 to 40 mph in 4.6 seconds and from 40 to 50 mph in 3.9 seconds. Our test boat had the optional labfinished prop ($920), but Baja says it only nets about 1 mph difference. I cranked the boat through turns at 50 and 60 mph and whipped it into slaloms at 50. It responded predictably, thanks in part to chines that are turned down five degrees. How competitive is the 26 Outlaw’s top speed? Fountain’s 27 Fever ($79,593 with the 496 MAG HO Bravo One X) runs an estimated 68 mph on a single-step design, but remember, it has a molded swim platform and a 2' bow extension, resulting in a 24' running surface. The Baja has a flat transom, making it a true 26' boat. The Advantage 27 Victory ($88,400 with the same power) has two small steps and runs 65 mph. LIVING SPACE Besides being superior to the 25 Outlaw on the water, the 26 Outlaw has a better cockpit, too. On the old boat, the gap between the bench seat and the bolsters was so tight you couldn’t stand up straight—bent knees were required. Honestly, it was more comfortable to sit back down. Baja put an additional 4" of space between the bench and bolsters on the 26 Outlaw, so you can now stand up or stretch out your legs and brace against the lower bars of the front seat’s stainless-steel frames. The bolsters also have handholds built into the backs for security. I liked the wraparound lumbar support on the bench seat but would have preferred a wider opening on the inwale grabrails. I could barely get my fingers in there. The 26 Outlaw’s cockpit is also a few inches wider, giving the boat a much bigger feel overall and allowing for a cavernous locker in the bench-seat base. Borrowing a w w w. b o at i n g m a g. c o m PHOtOs FOReST JOHNSON